Chicago (1-0-0-1) opened its offensive explosion with three goals in a 72-second span early in the first period. Sterling bagged the game’s opening goal on the power play at 6:33. Mullen stripped the puck at center ice and sent Sterling in on a breakaway and he beat Rockford goaltender Alec Richards.

Anthony doubled the Wolves lead 28 seconds later when he redirected a Nathan Lonpgre shot from the near circle over Richards’ blocker.

Archibald closed out the scoring fury when he scooped up a rebound at the side of the goal and backhanded the puck into an empty net at 7:45 of the opening frame.

The Wolves opened a 4-0 lead while on a five-on-three advantage at 11:56. Joslin slipped a pass in the high slot to Mullen, who stepped into a wrister that beat Richards.

Gordon tallied the Wolves fifth goal when he tucked home a Mullen shot that hit off the post as Richards was unable to corral the rebound in the crease at 7:18 of the second period.

Richards (0-1-0) stopped 16 of 21 shots in 29:22 of action before giving way to Kent Simpson, who posted 8 saves.

Rockford (0-1-0-0) notched its only goal 1:31 into the third period when an errant clearing attempt by goaltender Matt Climie found the stick of left wing Kyle Beach, who tapped home the puck into an empty net.